Tuesday

Congrats to all the nominees!

Spirit Awards Nominees Are Announced! Excitement Ensues

Award Season Fever is about to reach epidemic proportions thanks to this morning’s announcement of the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards nominees. We are excited to reveal that the Best Feature nominees are: 12 Years a Slave, All Is Lost, Frances Ha, Inside Llewyn Davis and Nebraska. (See the full list of nominees in all categories below.)
We’re especially thrilled this year that seven of the nominees are Film Independent Members: Neal Dodson (Producer, All Is Lost); Rose Troche (Producer, Concussion); Troche is also a Film Independent Fellow (Fast Track 2011); Michael H. Weber (Screenwriter, The Spectacular Now); Jill Soloway (Writer/Director, Afternoon Delight); Soloway, too, is a Film Independent Fellow (Screenwriting Lab 2012); Morgan Neville (Director, 20 Feet From Stardom); Julie Goldman (Producer, Gideon’s Army); and Aaron Douglas Johnston (Director, My Sister’s Quinceañera).
Now comes the fun part: the big vote—don’t forget: only Film Independent Members vote; join by December 6 to cast your vote— and, of course, the big show on March 1.

Saturday

It's moving into that time of the year when people start voting for their favorite Independent film or filmmaker.... highlighting those films that for whatever reason, were able to go from dream to reality.

The Independent Spirit Awards will announce their nominees in a few days, Criticwire has announced their favorites. It appears there's a wonderful batch of films out there in the world - and many of the filmmakers are moving from independent films to Hollywood films, and back again. We at the DIY Film Festival are happy to tout and highlight those who pursue filmmaking with a passion, whatever their budget.

But just as an incentive;

Jennifer Lawrence of "Catching Fire" was only 3 years ago, and independent darling in the indie film "Winter's Bone." Budget was 2 million.

David O Russell, director of "Three King's" and "Silver Lining's Playbook"'s first film "Spanking the Monkey" was made for $200K.

Richard Linklater, director of "Before Midnight" first film "Slackers" was shot for 23K.

The point is - you've finished your first film, or your second film, and you've found the right genre for your work, whether it's comedy, drama, horror, thriller, etc. And you've made your short film and gotten rave reviews and great audience reaction for it. It's your best calling card for your career. Take a similar screenplay or book around with your short film and submit it to an agent or producer through an attorney or agent if possible. The worst they can do is say "yes" and then you'll have to make the film. But barring that, let people know you're going to make the film with or without them - and offer them the chance to make it with you.

We're getting in some amazing films from filmmakers across the globe - from as far away as New Zealand, on topics from the future of the planet, to the future of a relationship. Excellent work filmmakers!"And may the odds ever be in your favor!"

According to the nearly 500 critics listed in Indiewire's Criticwire Network, there are over 70 indie films that have been released in theaters or on digital platforms this year worth checking out. Of course, 2013 still has a few more months to go. The following list, updated on a weekly basis, contains all films released in 2013 that currently hold a B+ average or higher on Criticwire as long as they have been graded by at least 15 critics.

You can also browse a list of the top-rated documentaries released in 2013 here.

Cannes can be a tough crowd. Just ask the two films that join the ranks of Best Reviewed Indies of 2013 this week.

Fast forward to the New York Film Festival last month, where "Nebraska" experienced an influx of support from stateside audiences. Along with Sorrentino's latest, other advanced screenings have netted them both a "B+" average, good enough to put them alongside some of the best from around the world in 2013.

Payne's latest is drawing specific attention for its contemplative sense of humor, anchored by two strong performances from Bruce Dern and June Squibb. Meanwhile, the Playlist's review of "The Great Beauty" compared the lavish excess of its many party scenes to the work of another Italian director, Federico Fellini. Both films are now available for viewing in limited release, with expansions planned as the month of November progresses.

Because critics can grade films at their leisure, all averages are subject to change; this list will grow or shrink on a regular basis to reflect fluctuating averages and new releases. The list is ordered in terms of letter grades first, followed by the number of grades a film has received. Duplicate numbers reflect ties in volume of grades and totals in italics reflect changes from the last update.

Jennifer Hitchcock’s “Dreams Deferred: The Struggle for Peace and Justice in Israel and Palestine”

Ike Ahloe's "Clocked In"

Brian Paul Higgins “CURE FOR THE CRASH”

Nicholas Plagman’s “THE HAM SANDWICH THAT CHANGED THE WORLD”

Robin North & Kelly Preeper's "Dead Saints"

Mirel Bran’s “ONE-WAY ROUND TRIP” (Romania)

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The mother of all film festivals opens today in the Cote' D'azur. For DIY Filmmakers it may seem like a long way off - but fear not...

Be Good To Eddie Lee

Citizen Mayor trailer

Securitate Hunter

Bathing and the Single Girl

CALL FOR ENTRIES!!!!

CALL FOR ENTRIESThe International Film Festival Submission System

CALL FOR ENTRIES

The International Film Festival Submission System

The DIY Film Festival prefers paperless entries submitted via The International Film Festival Submission System (BrigitFest) – on the Web at Withoutabox.com. Withoutabox provides cost-saving, online entry to major film festivals throughout the U.S. and in Europe with one master entry form, allowing you and us to enter your film more quickly and with greater accuracy. This method is free and easy. Members who choose to join Withoutabox also get $5.00 off their Entry Fees, plus the advantages of Extended Deadlines and Online Press Kit submissions. Click over to Withoutabox, then follow instructions to apply online:CLICK HERE TO APPLY

2010 winning Animated short "The Magnitude of the Continental Divides" by Christopher Coleman

DIY FILM FESTIVAL NEWS archive

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 26, 2008)_ The engaging documentary "Buskers: For Love Or Money," an examination of the world of street performers as told by the talent, has been named Best Film of the 2008 DIY Film Festival, which concluded Saturday.

The film was screened at the American Film Institute as part of the 2008 DIY Convention, which took place Feb. 15-23 in Hollywood and honored the top independent films, music and books of the last year.

In "Buskers: For Love Or Money,” director Chad Taylor (himself a world-class street performer as a chainsaw juggler) gives the history and motivations of his fellow street performers, some well-known, others legends only in their particular square feet of concrete.

The depiction of the performers’ free-floating lifestyle, which combines talent, street savvy and psychology was shot over ten years in various parts of the world and features rare footage of some legendary street performances. For its introspective examination of a world many see but few understand, “Buskers” was unanimously acclaimed as Best Film by the DIY judges.

The other winners of the 2008 DIY Film Festival:

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: “Glue Boys,” Philip Hamer

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: “The Tribe,” Tiffany Shlain

BEST DRAMATIC FEATURE: “Divergence,” Patrick J. Donnelly

BEST DRAMATIC SHORT: “Henchmen,” Christian Cantamessa

BEST COMEDY FEATURE: “The Book of Noah,” Drew Smith

BEST COMEDY SHORT: “Lowenstein’s A Terrorist,” Eric Siegelstein

BEST WORDL CINEMA: “Remember Me,” Benjamin Tan

BEST STUDENT FILM: “Some Apologies,” Adam Weldon

BEST ANIMATED SHORT: “Pull On Push Off,” Philip Leaman

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: “Murderess,” Scott Coblio

BEST DIRECTOR: Todd Peters, “Let Others Suffer”

BEST SCRIPT: Adam Weldon, “Some Apologies

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CALL FOR ENTRIES

The International Film Festival Submission System

The DIY Film Festival prefers paperless entries submitted via The International Film Festival Submission System (BrigitFest) – on the Web at Withoutabox.com. Withoutabox provides cost-saving, online entry to major film festivals throughout the U.S. and in Europe with one master entry form, allowing you and us to enter your film more quickly and with greater accuracy. This method is free and easy. Members who choose to join Withoutabox also get $5.00 off their Entry Fees, plus the advantages of Extended Deadlines and Online Press Kit submissions. Click over to Withoutabox, then follow instructions to apply online:CLICK HERE TO APPLY

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